Tahalel

Her trainer, Richard Hannon, is one of the busiest and most successful in Britain this season — his yard at Herridge in Wiltshire has already sent out 118 winners this season alone, which is a staggering number and speaks to an operation that knows how to place horses well and get results. When a trainer of that calibre talks candidly about a horse, it is worth listening. Hannon has said openly that she underachieved last season despite him believing she had real talent. He described her as having a "proper filly's attitude" — which is a polite but honest way of saying she has a mind of her own and does not always do things the easy way. That kind of temperament can frustrate, but it often comes bundled with genuine ability.

The interesting question hanging over Tahalel is distance. Hannon has admitted he is still not entirely sure what her best trip is, and finding that sweet spot could be the difference between a horse who keeps finishing second and one who starts winning. She clearly has the quality — four places from five races at three years old, trained by one of the yard's best operators, with her trainer openly backing her talent. The win feels like a matter of when, not if.